The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s upcoming gala will honor people from around the state whose efforts have preserved historically significant properties.
The event, planned for 7 p.m. April 1 and themed "Georgia in My Mind," will be held at the historic DuBose/Smith family estate in Atlanta. Guests will enjoy cocktails and classic Southern dishes prepared with Georgia-grown products before taking to the dance floor. The gala chairs are Teri and Mose Bond.
Honorees are:
Frances and Nat Hansford of Lexington, who have worked to preserve historic sites in Oglethorpe County, including the 1898 Oglethorpe County Jail, a Georgia Trust Preservation Award winner.
Libby and Ira Levy of Rome, who have restored more a dozen residential properties around the country. For the past 30 years, they have focused on Rome, where they have helped revitalize the city's historic downtown district with multiple preservation projects.
Mary and Howard Morrison of Savannah, supporters of the city's preservation movement and the current occupants of Lebanon Plantation, a historic property that has been in Howard Morrison's family for the past century. Lebanon produces agricultural products including ginger and turmeric grown on the land.
Susan and Mike Starr of Atlanta, who have worked with organizations including the Friends of the UGA Marine Institute at Sapelo Island and the Georgia Cities Foundation, which aims to revitalize Georgia downtowns. The Starrs have served as trustees for the Georgia Trust and worked to preserve its headquarters, Rhodes Hall in Midtown.
Tom Wight of Macon, whose leadership and support of the historic Hay House property earned him the honor of having its cupola named after him.
Tickets to the Preservation Gala, the Georgia Trust's biggest fundraiser of the year, are $150 for members, $200 for nonmembers (that ticket price includes membership) and $100 for guests under 40. See www.georgiatrust.org or call 404-885-7812 for information.
